Dismaland: Banksy Creates Desolate ‘Bemusement Park’

Banksy is up to something and it is amazing. The famous street artist had taken a hiatus for years from his signature style and now we may know why. He created his own version of Disneyland dubbed: Dismaland.

He created the world in a seaside town called Weston-super-Mare in southwest England. He describes Dismaland as being a “bemusement park” and in fact he says it is the ” world’s first.” The art installation is an intense and often disturbing reimagining of Disneyland.

The park’s website labels it “a festival of art, amusements and entry-level anarchism,” and offers something close to a mission statement when it asks:

Are you looking for an alternative to the sugar-coated tedium of the average family day out? Or just somewhere a lot cheaper? Then this is the place for you. Bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus…

The fine print at the bottom of the site emphasizes Dismaland’s abnormalities, while also name-checking Disney directly. He is basically asking nay daring the oft litigious company to sue.

Contains uneven floor surfaces, extensive use of strobe lighting, imagery unsuitable for small children and swearing. The following are strictly prohibited in the Park—spray paint, marker pens, knives and legal representatives of the Walt Disney Corporation.

The park features three galleries of other artists as well. It has more than 50 artists from 17 countries, including Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Banksy himself, along with other, lesser-known artists. Many of the artists exhibited share a common, postmodern distaste towards the establishment.

“[Disney] is vulnerable, to me,” featured artist Jeff Gillette told CNN. “They’re such a big presence and such a big part of culture and symbolic of so many things. It’s hard not [sic] fuck with them.”

It goes even further. Dismaland hosts live events every Friday night for tourists including shows by Run the Jewels, Pussy Riot and Massive Attack, among others.

Dismaland is open from Aug. 22 to Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is just £3 (about $5) and visitors under five get in free. The park’s capacity is limited, so visitors are encouraged to book a time slot for guaranteed entry. You can (attempt to) do so here but web traffic has been a nightmare much like the park itself.

Find out more at Dismaland’s website here. See more images from inside Dismaland here via The Guardian.

About Darth Sarah

Sarah is a journalist and an artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. She also secretly hopes the Doctor will come and take her away, though she realizes he probably already has a dedicated companion at the moment.
Sarah also helps out over at BSCkids.com, Optionated.com and our other sites!